Asparagus plant named ‘Amadeus’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct male variety of asparagus plant with high branching and uniform spears.

Botanical classification: Asparagus officinalis.

Varietal denomination: ‘Amadeus’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct asparagus plant knownby the varietal name ‘Amadeus’. The new variety is the result of aplanned breeding program conducted by the inventors in 2007 in TheNetherlands. The purpose of the breeding program was to develop 100%male hybrid asparagus varieties suitable for green harvesting inparticular warm or cool climate types that exhibit good diseasetolerance and a desirable eating quality. ‘Amadeus’ is the result of thecrossing of an Asparagus officinalis variety referred to by theapplicant as 08009 (female parent, unpatented) with an Asparagusofficinalis variety referred to by the applicant as 08011 (male parent,unpatented). The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Amadeus’ wasconducted in 2010 by crown division in The Netherlands. ‘Amadeus’ hasbeen trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.The present invention has not been evaluated under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations inenvironment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

‘Amadeus’ is a high-branching fern, similar to its female parent.However, ‘Amadeus’ exhibits a more uniform spear size than both of itsparental varieties.

When compared to asparagus variety named ‘Grande’ (unpatented),‘Amadeus’ is similar to ‘Grande’ in having green spears (stalks) withsome anthocyanin coloration on their bracts and tips at the stage ofharvesting. However, ‘Amadeus’ exhibits smaller spears and taller stemsthan ‘Grande’. Further, ‘Amadeus’ only produces male flowers, while‘Grande’ produces both male and female flowers.

When compared to asparagus variety named ‘UC157’ (unpatented), ‘Amadeus’exhibits spears that are more uniform in size than ‘UC157’. Further,‘Amadeus’ exhibits taller stems with higher branching ferns than‘UC157’. Additionally, ‘Amadeus’ only produces male flowers, while‘UC157’ produces both male and female flowers.

Generally, when compared to other asparagus varieties known to theapplicant, ‘Amadeus’ exhibits a very uniform spear size for harvesting.‘Amadeus’ is also distinguishable from other varieties in the fact thatit is 100% male. Additionally, ‘Amadeus’ exhibits good field tolerance,as well as tolerance against asparagus root rot (Fusarium oxysporum).Further, the spears of ‘Amadeus’ are tender, with good eating andkeeping qualities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings taken at approximately one yearof age illustrate the new variety, with the color being as nearly trueas is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 shows a shows a view of multiple plants of the new variety;

FIG. 2 shows a view of multiple plants of the new variety; and

FIG. 3 shows close-up view of a plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew variety. Plants of the new variety were soil grown in theNetherlands under open field conditions under natural light. Theemergence of spears occurs fairly early from planting when compared toother asparagus varieties known to the applicant and is dependent upontemperature and planting depth. The color readings and measurements weretaken outdoors in the Netherlands under natural light on approximatelyone year old plants. Color references are primarily to The 2015 R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, SixthEdition.

-   Stalks:    -   -   Number of branches.—50.        -   Typical and observed branch color.—Approximately 139A.        -   Number of nodes below the first branch.—12.        -   Distance from the crown to the first branch.—68 cm.        -   Number of cladophyll nodes between the first and last            branch.—39.        -   Distance between the first and last branch.—130 cm.        -   Number of cladophyll nodes beyond the last branch.—20.        -   Number of centimeters beyond the last branch.—10.2 cm.        -   Internode length between branches.—4.6 cm.        -   Internode length beyond the last branch.—5.5 cm.        -   Average number of stalks.—11.        -   Largest stalk diameter.—15 mm.        -   Mean diameter of three largest stalks, wherein the average            spear diameter at the base of the apex and the middle of the            spear are equal.—15 mm.        -   Length of highest headed stalk.—198 cm.        -   Color of stalk below the first branch, bloom            removed.—Between 139A and 140B.        -   Color of stalk between the first and last branch, bloom            removed.—Between 139A and 140B.        -   Color of stalk beyond the last branch, bloom            removed.—Between 139A and 140B.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present at spear apex.        -   Spear apex shape.—Medium triangular.        -   Average length of first bracts at base of spear apex.—Short            to medium.        -   Average width of first bracts at base of spear apex.—Small            to medium.        -   Opening of spear bracts.—Weakly open.        -   Attitude of spear bracts.—Adpressed.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flowers.—Length: 6 mm. Width at midpoint: 3.5 mm. Number of            flowers per cluster (flowering node): 14. Longevity on the            plant: Medium. Average time from planting to beginning of            flowering (when at least 30% of plants have one flower            open): Dependent on temperature when the crowns are planted,            but generally about three weeks after spear emergence.        -   Petals.—Not applicable, only tepals are present.        -   Tepals.—Number of whorls: 1. Number of tepals per whorl: 6.            Colors: Lower (abaxial) base: Approximately 59A. Lower            (abaxial) tip: Approximately 139D. Lower (abaxial) midrib:            Approximately 59A and 139A are both present. Lower (abaxial)            margins: Approximately 139D. Upper (adaxial) base:            Approximately 59A. Upper (adaxial) tip: Approximately 139D.            Upper (adaxial) midrib: Approximately 59A and 139A are both            present. Upper (adaxial) margins: Approximately 139D. Outer            tepal length: 6 mm. Outer tepal width: 2 mm. Inner tepal            length: 6 mm. Inner tepal width: 2 mm. Midrib of outer            tepals, width: 0.6 mm. Midrib of inner tepals, width: 0.5            mm.        -   Flower stalk peduncles.—Length: 23 cm. Diameter: 1 mm.            Color: Approximately 139A.        -   Flower stalk pedicels.—Length: 7 mm. Diameter: 0.2 mm.            Color: Approximately 59A.-   Fruit: Not applicable, as ‘Amadeus’ is a male variety and no fruit    is developed.-   Cladophylls:    -   -   Average number per node.—3 to 4.        -   Length.—9 mm.        -   Width.—0.3 mm.        -   Shape.—Overall: Acicular. Apex: Pointed. Base: Pointed.        -   Margin type.—Entire.        -   Color.—Between 144A and 144B.-   Leaves: Not applicable, only cladophylls are present.-   Reproduction organs:    -   -   Gynoecium.—Not applicable, as ‘Amadeus’ is a male variety.        -   Androecium.—        -   Stamens.—Number: 6. Length: 3 mm.        -   Anthers.—Length: 0.6 mm. Color: 17A. Pollen: Color: 17A.            Amount: Minimal.        -   Filaments.—Length: 2.4 mm. Color: Approximately 155C.-   General:    -   -   Use.—Fresh market green asparagus.        -   Shipping quality of spears.—Good.        -   Storage life.—Spears last up to 15 days, depending on            storage conditions.        -   Spear productivity.—185 g/plant, based on a plant density of            25,000 plants/hectare in full season production.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Intermediate (Mediterranean) climate            is preferable. Plants need cooler temperatures to go into            dormancy and can withstand winter frost conditions when            dormant.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of asparagus plant, as is hereinillustrated and described.